Anyway I'm not 100% surte on the yaris but you have several different positions for the gearshift:

P - Park - use this when you park the car, in addition to the normal handbrake
R - Reverse, self-explanatory
N - N neutral, just like on a manual
D - Drive, the normal automatic mode, put it in the gear, press the gas, and don't worry about anything else
3 and 2 - these limit the maximum gear that your gearbox will engage. For example, when going up a hill, you do not want the car to try to go into 4th, or it just won't have the power to climb, so you limit it to 3rd gear, or 2nd for extreme cases. These can also be used to force the gearbox to shift down when you are in 4th, and approaching a turn, like using the engine to brake on a manual transmission. Keep in mind there is usually a little bit of lag between moving the gear stick and the actual change, so think ahead. For a test drive, though, you should not have to worry about these

That's about it, there's nothing really specific to know about it, which is why it's so popular, who wants to use their brain while driving, right?

I got a Yaris recently,and i've noticed the auto doesnt perform as well as the manual,for eg.normally lets say at so and so speed,a slight tap to the pedal will show a corrsponding jump in the car in response to the petrol give,but this car gives no response!i try tappin the pedal but the car continues at same spped as though i never tuched the acc pedal!
So i jut want to know when i can use the 3 gear from D.for eg when i'm at 100 kph and want to pass another car,can i shift to 3 and do the passin or will it damage the gearbox?or can i do tht only for speeds under 80,coz i did try shiftin to 3 at around 100kph and the car showed no difference.

Shifting the Auto into a lower gear for more passing power is perfectly fine as long as you don't force the tranny to make up for big differences in speed. ie... asking the thing to drop to 2nd while you are still at 100kph.

...but I think the computer still has a dummy guard against someone who wants to drop gears into drastically lower gears. And to this I would ask if anyone wants to be the one with enough courage and/or large pocket book to try.

That's about it, there's nothing really specific to know about it, which is why it's so popular, who wants to use their brain while driving, right?

Please refrain from negative comments about Americans. Also FYI, in domestic an AT is usually better... Especially if you plan on saving money in the long run. No clutches to replace, and it lasts longer. Also (as in America) where drag racing is popular an AT can be a good choice with the right shift kit.

Thanks for not speaking of the US that way. Also I am from Texas, and we do not play around with our Country and State pride. It is almost a religion. So if you want to be reported keep it up.

Please refrain from negative comments about Americans. Also FYI, in domestic an AT is usually better... Especially if you plan on saving money in the long run. No clutches to replace, and it lasts longer. Also (as in America) where drag racing is popular an AT can be a good choice with the right shift kit.

Thanks for not speaking of the US that way. Also I am from Texas, and we do not play around with our Country and State pride. It is almost a religion. So if you want to be reported keep it up.

Thanks,

Ummm, coming from an American (who lives abroad), how was his comment offensive in the least? I think you're being just a touch sensitive there buddy.

Being that the overwhelming majority of cars sold in America are automatics, and that the vast majority of people have no idea how to drive manuals, it's a reasonable assumption (and not judgemental) that every would know how to drive automatics. If anything, it is a COMPLIMENT assuming that everyone would know. Assuming that Americans are ignorant would be judgemental, and thus negative. So you're saying you'd rather have him say that he thought most Americans DIDN'T know how to drive automatic?

Also, "better" is a subjective word. In the long run, depending on if you know how to properly drive a manual transmission, it can last just as long as an auto. And the good thing is that repairs are LESS costly on a manual than an auto. Sure there is no clutch to replace on an auto, but try swapping out a planetary gearset and then get back to me. Overhauling a manual is far easier than an auto. Also, the initial cost of a manual is less, and you also get a fuel savings. Whatever is "better" depends on what your particular needs are; both options are perfectly fine.

Ummm, coming from an American (who lives abroad), how was his comment offensive in the least? I think you're being just a touch sensitive there buddy.

Being that the overwhelming majority of cars sold in America are automatics, and that the vast majority of people have no idea how to drive manuals, it's a reasonable assumption (and not judgemental) that every would know how to drive automatics. If anything, it is a COMPLIMENT assuming that everyone would know. Assuming that Americans are ignorant would be judgemental, and thus negative. So you're saying you'd rather have him say that he thought most Americans DIDN'T know how to drive automatic?

Also, "better" is a subjective word. In the long run, depending on if you know how to properly drive a manual transmission, it can last just as long as an auto. And the good thing is that repairs are LESS costly on a manual than an auto. Sure there is no clutch to replace on an auto, but try swapping out a planetary gearset and then get back to me. Overhauling a manual is far easier than an auto. Also, the initial cost of a manual is less, and you also get a fuel savings. Whatever is "better" depends on what your particular needs are; both options are perfectly fine.

Good to see you have an opinion, just an fyi I am not gonna read it, lots of words and stuff IDC about. But I just should let you know I only mentioned it b/c I have seen it in other places on forums with foreign cars. And I am not going to argue tranny stuff with a stranger. I had the original tranny in my car longer than most people in here have had one...